The Patron Saint of the Year Ministry: Do You Have a Connection With Your Patron Saint Story to Share?

Do You Have a Connection With Your Patron Saint Story to Share?

If you have a story to share on how you and your patron saint are right for each other, or how you have connected, please feel free to contact me by email, mare54n@bellsouth.net and let me know how and what happened. Those of you who have posted about this connection on your own blogs can share the blog post link if you'd like.

Thank you!

Theresa thanked me and wanted me to know ...

... along with posting the same on Pelianito's Journal Blog, I, too, requested a saint for this year and received Saint/Pope Urban II. He is the pope who called fervently for Crusades to repel the advances of the Turks (muslims fighting to overthrow Christianity, destroying churches, cities, etc. )–a call immediately answered. In the last few months, I have had the conversion of many muslim people on my heart, and also have felt danger for our beloved Benedict XVI. Upon reading about Urban II, I came upon this quotation from him, his remarks about the pontiff who preceded him: BLESSED URBAN II (Otto) FEASTDAY: JULY 29“He declared his intention of following the policy and example of his great predecessor–’all that he rejected, I reject, what he condemned I condemn, what he loved I embrace, what he considered as Catholic, I confirm and approve’. ”

These words resound with me since I this is my response to Pope John Paul II and to Pope Benedict XVI. I will intercede with Pope Urban II to protect and guide our beloved pontiff. How ironic that Pope Urban II raised such militant armies for Christ while Pope Benedict is oppressed by so much suffering and humiliation in this same precious Body of the Church.

By the way, his feastday is on July 29. When I was in the convent many years ago, I professed my temporary vows (for three years) on July 29, so I see a little connection there. Now that I am back in the church after many years away, I feel more strongly connected to the Body of Christ and more devoted than ever I did before. St. Urban II, pray for us!"

Nellie emailed me to say ...

... Thank you ! I have received my Patron Saint, Blessed Henryk Hlebowicz. Very little is said about him on the web. Blessed Henryk Hlebowicz, Polish Diocesan Priest, was born in Grondo on June 1, 1904, died in Borysów November 9, 1941. He was Beatified by Pope John Paul II in Warsaw (Poland) June 13, 1999, together with 107 other Polish martyrs.

Roman Martyrology: In the town of Borysów in Poland, blessed Henry Hlebowicz, Priest and Martyr, shot during the war in hatred of the faith.I guess he will have to tell me about himself!

He knows how I love the priesthood and John Paul the Great. I am the mother of 7 sons and 2 daughters, ages 17 to 39--no priests yet! I have had a prayer group for priests for years . We live in a very liberal city in Canada with very little spiritual help for the youth. I expect this man will be helping the youth and the priesthood with me. He is the age of my second son and he knows how I prayed that my sons would be open to the priesthood.

Ev was so amazed to receive St. Luke this year ...

.. Sorry I didn't get to email you yesterday but the women I joined in making rosaries for the Missions took much longer than I thought...but I must admit that I enjoyed all of them. God Bless their precious souls!

I remember feeling so anxious awaiting to find out who chose me...wondering would it be my precious Ven. Pope John Paul II, or St. Pio? Who would choose me? Me being such a mess mentally and physically! Who would take care of me? I whispered "Whoever chooses me will have much on their hands...poor Saint!". I was at work opening up my email every half hour or so...LOL!!!

But first to share a little about me. When I gave birth to my youngest daughter, Erika Bernadette Marie, I hemorrhaged three weeks later...due to a piece of placenta still lodged within me. But due to this I was traumatized...the first thought in my mind was that Our God was punishing me. I have no clue why such a thought took such a hold on me...but it did. I was 33 years old at the time. Every month I was terrified of my menstrual cycle as it reminded me of the hemorrhage. I suffered anxiety/panic attacks, fear of everything or anything I did wrong...becoming scrupulous. After a few years most of the symptoms subsided to a minimal...but it was there, following me like a shadow...couldn't run from it! I spent so much time begging and praying for a healing to take place, but I really never reverted to 100% mentally wise. But I was alleviated enough to be able to enjoy some life.

Then one day I suffered an allergic reaction from what I thought was the tuna I was eating as my mouth immediately was prickling...even the oil that dripped on the side of my lip was prickling. Well this really scared me and I started to get really anxious. I was on the way to pick up my daughters from school, keeping my mind off of all this but then my stomach started to feel funny, then pain which reached up to the center of my chest and back. I immediately thought to myself "Oh my God...I am having a heart attack"! Then I began to feel my heart beating faster and faster and hard...I reached the school...parked and ran to the courtyard and fell into the principal's arms telling her to call an ambulance. Once in the nurses office she took my pulse and panicking started to count past 130 beats per minute which made me panic even more and then I was not able to take a normal breath. It felt like my breathing was cutting off. (hyperventilating...I guess). Then I saw the horror on both my daughters' faces, Erika falling to her knees as Brittany Therese Marie had her hands on her shoulders. It is then that the personnel took a hold of them and whisked them away...praise be To Our Father! All I kept saying at this point was Jesus, Mary & Joseph pray for me or help me...I do not quite remember. After who knows how long...to me it seemed forever...I arrived at the hospital & still could not breath deeply at all...but after they put me in a private room within the emergency room I was breathing normally again. Marianne, I have no clue at what point I started to breath normal again...no pain in my chest or anywhere for that matter! Then a nurse came in to change me because she explained that at the school I fell back and went into some sort of seizure and wet myself in the process. How embarrassing. Anyway after a few hours I was told that I had a low potassium, yet my friend who works there said it was not dangerously low to cause all I went through. I went home that evening feeling fine but the next day on the way to taking my daughters to school I started to panic again...the route I took the previous day triggered the memory...but thanks be To Our Merciful God I was able to fight it. But that is when the anxiety/panic attacks started again.

Then I went to an allergist and was told that my blood work showed that I was allergic to fish and corn. CORN??? That stuff is practically in everything...even most medications. She proceeded to give me a scratch test as oppose to injecting the serums of different food groups under my skin. Well she didn't tell me what substance she was testing me on but on the first day it was six different substances and I felt no reaction. But on the second visit I reacted to one of the six. It was the tuna! It even showed on my skin like these pin sized red dots. When the doctor checked my arm and confirmed it she then said "Oh I see you reacted to the corn also!". Marianne I felt no prickly reaction on the spot she put the corn in and there were not signs on my skin. Even my daughter kept looking and to no avail saw nothing. Well the doctor told me that if I ate fish or corn I would be taking my life into my hands. Well here I am today terrified of everything...I only eat at home and if I go away I rent out an efficiency room so that I am able to prepare my own food. I can't even take a Tylenol because it has cornstarch for binding purposes.

About a month after all this ordeal I went to a new dentist for a checkup and cleaning. Well, as per custom one fills out their forms on medical history...etc. When the dentist saw that I had an allergic reaction or what was thought to be an anaphylactic attack...in which I was given epi pens for...he would not use Novocain on me as I had some perio or gingivitis proving to be a bit painful when scaling on the exposed nerves of certain teeth, because he said that people that have this kind of an allergic reaction usually become allergic to meds such as Novocain and who know what else. Well that left me stricken to the point that I did not dare go to a dentist for some years leaving three molars to break and perio/gingivitis galore. Rarely...about once or twice a year at most I will have some blood in my mouth producing more panic attacks...but yet too terrified of going to the dentist...afraid of another allergic reaction. Mind you that a few years back I went for a cleaning and had one of the broken molar extracted yet terrified of a reaction. There was no reaction whatsoever...but my mind is still plagued with it. I need to see a dentist but I am terrified. I at times feel like I have a bloody taste in my mouth or metallic and no blood whatsoever. I am suppose to be taking a light medication for a slight UTI and can't because there is corn in that too!!

A few weeks ago I started having a dizzy like vertigo feeling...more like it was coming from my neck up. My body doesn't feel weak just my head. My doctor did blood tests which came out perfect...he did two cardiograms and that came out perfect...did an echo gram or sonogram of my heart and that was ok too. He told me I was suffering from nerves and possibly depression. Yet all I do is cry it out and pray and feel better. I live in a household where my mother suffers diabetes and mood swings, which leave me sick inside...poor thing ( I mean about my mom)! She has always had a strong character but very pessimistic. She suffered a heart attack and suffered greatly when my brother of 41 died and my father dying 7 months after...this happened over 4 years ago. My daughters live with us...Erika boards at a University and Brittany might start next fall! Yet I feel so sad that because of my nerves the Disney movies I bought them babysat them. I did take them out but when at home it was me in the living room praying desparately while they watched TV. I feel so sad that I will never be able to go back and raise them the way I always dreamed of...the perfect mom...the mom I wanted to be...to instruct them on our precious Catholic Church so that they may have a chance at being Saints. I also must confess that I have sinned with two men I went out with after my annulment...but after that I vowed never again. Never will I sin and hurt my Lord again...and I haven't since and have no desire to do so! But what an example I taught them. I thank God Almighty for His Mercy because He gave me the courage to apologize to my girls profusely and they haven't been running around. My Brittany wants to wait for marriage and Erika I am not sure about...but she has not even had her first boyfriend as of yet. Poor thing...every time she likes someone they are not interested or if they are interested in her, she is not! LOL Best the Lord hold on to her until the time is right. She doesn't go to Mass at all which I blame on myself...and Brittany does go with me or on her own if she has to go somewhere early! So for now I am grateful.

OK what does this all have to do with my Patron Saint? When I saw I received Saint Luke, the Evangelist I was happy that he was an apostle...well when I went on to read about him I started to cry when I read that he was a PHYSICIAN!!! Whenever I told anybody about it I would cry...I couldn't believe it...everyone said "He is going to cure you...he is going to intercede and you will be mentally and physically healed. You will be able to take meds when needed, fix your teeth and QUIT SMOKING!!! LOL Marianne I have been praying to be healed from the desire of smoking mentally and physically and that I would be given a second chance in all the damage due smoking healed. I must admit that I believe this is it. When I don't know but it will happen! What do you think? I already started reading St. Lukes Epistle from the St. Ignatius Study Bible, by Dr. Scott Hahn and someone else. I didn't want to miss a word of any of his Epistle. I wanted to understand everything and with this I do!! I just received a novel written about St. Luke called "Dear and Glorious Physician" by Caldwell. It is an Ignatius Press book too! And finally I found a nine day novena for favors and nine day for thanksgiving. I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE IT...A PHYSICIAN TO HEAL ME MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY BUT WITH IT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING...SPIRITUALLY. HE IS GOING TO GUIDE ME SPIRITUALLY THROUGH THE BIBLE..THROUGH HIS EPISTLE WHICH OUT OF ALL OF THEM STATES THE MOST PARABLES AND MIRACLES WROUGHT FROM OUR SAVIOR JESUS AND ALSO HIS INFANCY...RATHER THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES THAT THE OTHERS DO NOT HAVE!!! What could I say? I am in awe! I am feeling that I should keep him as my Patron Saint forever and have another every year besides him, unless I keep them all!!!

Oh before I forget...when I received my First Holy Communion I remember thinking to myself that I wanted to become a Saint!!! Well hold on to your seat, Marianne...I went to Catholic School and both the school and the Church was named...ready? Saint Lukes!!! I went to Saint Lukes School and Church in the Bronx!!! Unbelievable!!!! Funny that I told my Spiritual Director about my first time desiring to be a saint a few days before being picked by Saint Luke himself. I am besides myself...I don't know what to say...I wish I could have spoken to you on the phone as I have vonage and it would be free for me. So much to tell...so much to share. Anyway if you wish to print this then you may...but I think you might want to edit some things from here!!! Too long and maybe too much information or too descriptive. I don't know...you let me know!!!

Oh as for my daughters...Brittany Therese Marie is very giving of herself...takes care of everyone...like when my father was bedridden she took care of him...when I broke my knee cap (don't go there...another long one, LOL) she took care of me 24/7. She is gentle and very compassionate...I guess like I pictured St. John to be. I know he will help her with college and a career choice. She wants to act but I am hoping if she does that she will promote the classical as well as family oriented movies...like Heidi, Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, etc. Not the horrors and immoral ones seen today! As for Erika, I couldn't find much at all on St. Jason (if you know some links let me know) but he was a convert and defended and sheltered our St. Paul, I think! Hopefully he will guide her back to Church and a practicing little saint. My mom received St. Cecelia...well my mom always looks at the bad side of everything and has not hopeful desires. Maybe...just maybe she will intercede for my mom and she will start hearing the heavenly music that will stir her heart to forgiveness as well as hopeful desires. Hopefully she will grant my wish to be healed from the desire of smoking and the destruction it did to her!!!

I better stop here...you will need your rest after reading this!!!

Love you Marianne!!! Yes you are in my prayers...even to my Patron Saint Luke!!!

Angela contacted me ...

... I just had to write to tell you how amazed I am at the saints that have chosen all of us! Especially this last round.

My daughter Alyssa was chosen by St. Albert the Great, who is a Doctor of the Church, known as "teacher of everything there is to know." He was a scientist before there was even science!! He also was teacher and mentor to St. Thomas Aquinas. He is Patron of medical technicians; natural sciences; philosophers; scientists; students. Alyssa is going on 13 years old and we have always called her our little "genius!" She is a straight A student and a member of The National Junior Honor Society, she was a Mass server and chosen to be a Lector at our previous parish! Her test scores are off the charts! It is no wonder this great saint has chosen her, not a coincidence at all, Praise God!

My youngest daughter Ashley who is 9 was chosen by St. Stephen, the first deacon and first martyr. A young evangelist who is the patron of deacons and masons, I believe St. Stephen chose Ashley because she speaks frequently about Jesus to her classmates and teachers and is currently playing a huge role (unbeknownst to her, I think) in the conversion of her cousin. She also has issues with some students making fun of her and calling her "wierd" due to her innocence, which of course makes her very sad. She is not like other kids her age, not corrupt. Also in advanced reading and math classes, her teacher says she's easily the smartest kid in school! Thank you St. Stephen!

Jaycee is 15 years old and was chosen by St. Thomas More. WOW! There was absolutely no way you could have known that she is actually my step-daughter who we have 100% placement and custody of since she was 10. We had a 2 year legal fight to "save her" from a "toxic mother." This saint is the patron of adopted children, lawyers, civil servants, large families (there are 6 of us), troubled marriages, and stepparents! among others. WOW! When she found out about this saint she was thrilled because she has been seriously considering careers in law and law enforcement this past year. She is not naturally gifted academically due to her neglectful upbringing (of which her father had little to no control) but has managed to maintain honor roll for the past 3 years with our help and VERY hard work on her part. I believe St. Thomas More will guide her to her reach her maximum potential and assist her and I to become even closer as mother and daughter! AMEN!

Now, in a previous email I requested a saint for my oldest daughter Alexandra, who will be 15 in April. She is a very troubled girl, who has been pulled away from our faith for the past 2 years. Through much prayer by myself, many family members and friends, she is barely hanging on and goes back and forth. She is rebellious and I believe this is due to issues with her biological father who hurt our family very deeply. She was an honor student and attended a gifted & talented school until junior high. Alex is another of my children who scores off the charts academically. Lately, though, she is finding it difficult to even go to school, let alone maintain a decent GPA. She is in trouble with the law for many things. We had all but given up hope on this poor girl. Then, Blessed Urban II chose my daughter Alex! Glory to God! Urban II was a Pope who fought and won against the anti-Christian forces of his time. He is a powerful saint who I believe God feels has the power to help my daughter conquer the anti-Christian world she is being drawn into! There have been many revelations and much progress has been made since I have begun invoking St. Urban on her behalf. I am actually seeing a change in her. It's a MIRACLE!

I can't thank you enough for spreading the word about this devotion. This is the reason that saints exist, to assist us in the long and difficult journey to our heavenly home.

Angela was bowled over with her connections ...

... Oh my goodness!!! Thank you so very much for your quick response. My Mom told me about your Ministry,and she called me to share her story with me. She found you through “The Pelianito “ website. She was so excited to tell me that the St. who chose her, was St. Angela. The night before she called, I was researching St. Angela, because that is my name, and I was just curious to learn more about her. As I was reading about her,I was amazed that she formed the Ursulines. My Mom went to Ursuline academy, and I wondered if my Mom knew this. So when she called, I was blown away, I don’t remember ever researching St. Angela before.

Then, I e-mailed you last night, and you responded so quickly, thank you! I am so excited that Blessed Berka Zsislavachose me. I researched her right away, and immediately I knew why. (My Mom has written you too, so I’m probably repeating myself). She is the Patron St. of difficult marriages. I didn’t even know there was a Patron St. of difficult marriages. I took much needed comfort in that, because I just went through a very difficult divorce. Her husband treated her unkind, and they had a very difficult marriage. She had four children, and put them first. She cared for her children, husband, the poor, and sick. I have three children, and I’ve put them first always. There are so many other similarities, between us. My ex-husband and I were married for 15 years, together for 22 years. He worried about appearances a lot. Blessed Berka’s husband insisted that she dress in her finest gowns, and attend long banquets that pleased him. She loved simple things, especially the woods. I used to live in the woods behind my house, it was so peaceful. I could relate to her so much.

She used to use herbs, to ward off illness, in people that came to her gate. I am always crushing herbs together, to keep the kids healthy. We have had our share of illnesses, and health issues.
She would receive Holy Communion daily, which was not common back then. I have been going to daily Mass, as often as I can, it’s so healing. Her husband converted after her death. She appeared to him, and finally he was converted. Sadly, my ex-husband has left the Catholic Church. I hope it doesn’t take me dying and appearing to him to come back.

I could go on and on about other similarities, but they are too numerous to mention.

Thank you from the bottom of my healing heart.

Carol wrote to say ...

...I was researching my Saint Angela Merici further. It took some looking but it turns out she is the patron saint of sickness and the handicapped. Did she ever pick the right girl. I've been sick all my life with every illness that one person could have. I've offered my suffering to the Lord as a Victim Soul many years ago so it could be put to good use. This summer our Dear Lord decided to ease my suffering with a wonderful doctor who determined by DNA testing that I have a genetic illness that I've passed on to my four children and on to my grandchildren. We have Silent Celiac disease. At 63 I was close to death, when Jesus sent me an email with a video presentation from this doctor, and my sister confirmed that she had a message from Jesus that it was time to lessen my suffering. So I'm half way through my 44 treatments and feeling so much better. Now my task is to convince all my loved ones to no longer eat gluten. If you know of anyone with auto-immune disease, and everyone does, have them get tested for gluten sensitivity. I need to get the word out.

Frances contacted me after receiving her patron saint ...

... Thank you so much for sending me my Saint connection of St. John the Baptist. It’s so amazing...this confirms something my Spiritual Director pointed out to me back in January after an experience I had. He told me I was in the spirit of St. John the Baptist.

Receiving this really “wows” me!!

Guess what else? I’m a member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites and we love “Elijah” and with Jesus saying St. John the Baptist came in the spirit of Elijah...we have another connection! This really helps me discern where God is leading me. May I respond faithfully to His Call.

May God draw you and your apostolate ever deeper into His most Infinite Divine Heart!

Dianne wrote to say ...

... thank you for sending me the name of my patron saint, Saint Jane Frances de Chantal. It didn't take long for me to discover why she chose me. Saint Jane's son was killed in battle in 1627. A contemporary historian wrote, "the heroism of his death was the subject of universal praise, and all mourned him as his valor merited". In a letter to a superior, Saint Jane wrote, " Alas, not one of the fears that used to come upon me of his dying in one of those duels into which his friends enticed him but was harder to bear than has been this good and Christian death. And although it has deeply affected me, yet the consolation in the thought that my son has given his blood for the Faith outweighs the sorrow."

My son, was a Green Beret, who was killed in Afghanistan 5 years ago during a long battle. He was awarded the Silver Star for extraordinary valor against enemy forces. My son did not practice his faith. But I take comfort in the fact that he died while saving the men on his team. I firmly believe that his soul was saved because of that one last act of love for his teammates and for his country.

Saint Jane's feast day has been changed over the years, but is currently celebrated on August 12 in the United States. My birthday is August 13.

Please feel free to share my story with others, and thank you for connecting me to a saint that I can develop a relationship with.

Yvonne emailed me after receiving Our Lady Of Lourdes as her patron saint ...

... Thank-you so much Marianne. I've always had an affection for St.Bernadette when as a child I saw a movie on Our Lady of Lourdes . I wondered what it could have been like to have Our Lady actually appear and speak to oneself. It must be glorious. I was intrigued about the lady with the blue sash and a yellow rose on each foot. I've never had the opportunity to go to Nevers to see St. Bernadette's incorrupt body or to go to Lourdes on pilgrimage, so you can imagine my joy to receive Our Lady of Lourdes herself to be my Patron Saint and know that it was she who chose me. As with St. Bernadette, my family background is French.Of course I'm keeping Our Lady of Lourdes for the rest of my life as my Patron Saint. Thank -you again.....

All Miriam could say was ...

... WOW and THANK GOD . . . Two English martyrs under Elizabeth I [Bl. William Carter and St. Alexander Briant], the Archangel Gabriel [for the mother of the family], a martyr [St. Agnes], a priest who converted thousands upon thousands of slaves [St. Peter Claver], and a doctor of the Church [St. Cyril of Jerusalem] for a family that is being torn apart because four of the six have fallen away from the Church! It's a mystery as to how Bl. Michelina of Pesaro connects yet, but that will come in time. Thank you once more -- boy, have I got a lot of wonderful new friends to ask to pray for my family!

Renee wasn't really sure what to think about St. Cuthman until ...

... Easter blessings to you on this Holy Saturday! I just wanted to give you an update on what's been happening since St. Cuthman arrived in my life.

First, two things:

The image of Christ as the Good Shepherd has always been my favorite image, the tenderness of Christ seen in this light has always been very moving to me even before I converted to Catholicism (baptized exactly 2 years ago today).

Second, the night before I got your email, I was watching a program on TV where people were talking about their near-death experiences, and their encounters with heaven--or demons. One man who "died" and believed he experience hell, was now testifying to where and why his life had gone so wrong. He wasn't a terrible person, but he lived selfishly, didn't care much beyond the sensual pleasures, etc. As a boy, he said, he remembered loving Jesus. His father was, however, horribly abusive and an alcoholic. One day, a neighbor seeing that the boy was so mistreated, called him over to give him a gift: it was a lamb. The lamb became the boy's best friend, a pet who would wait for him after school, etc. One day, the boy was late. Out of rage, the father had driven a tire jack through the lamb's heart and killed it. This was the beginning of the end of the boy's goodness.

I am not an animal-lover, but I had an overwhelmingly strong emotional reaction to the re-enactment of this scene. An emotional response that was way out of proportion to a TV reenactment.

Then...the next day along comes St. Cuthman. I have to admit I was a bit disappointed at first that I didn't get someone from the Major Leagues. Not Francis of Assissi / Cabrini / de Sales, the triple three for whom I took my baptismal name, not St. Catherine of Siena, not even a minor leaguer on the Roman calendar, but some medieval hayseed that nobody had ever heard of. I almost wrote back to you and asked if perhaps you had me confused with someone else. Or if maybe you were baking and had butter on your hands and your fingers slipped to the wrong card. This shepherd boy couldn't be for me.

My baptismal experience was so profound and life-alterting that I pretty much spent the next two years trying to find a way to recapture the moments in the baptismal waters, where I am convinced I met Christ--it was as if light, not water, was being poured on my head. It took me completely by surprise. I hadn't expected much of anything to happen, much less to feel what I felt. For two weeks in 2009, I was in a kind of state that I imagine people who do some sort of mind-altering drug must feel: complete and utter bliss and peace. And then, it faded. All I wanted was God back. I felt nothing when I prayed. I sensed that something was going wrong with my prayer life, with my discernment abilities. Without getting too far into this, if felt as if something not entirely with my best interest at heart was weaving in and out of my life. I started missing Mass. (All through 2009 and much of 2010 I was a daily, or several times a week parishioner, so missing Mass on Sunday was a very unusual thing).

When St. Cuthman arrived he brought mail and messages for me from God--literally. In one week, I had a picture of Jesus the Good Shepherd taped to my front door (it was an invitation to join a Baptist church and this was their flyer); another depiction of Jesus scrolled against my mailbox from the Mormons the same week (you may think this isn't unusual, but I live in a neighborhood that is primarily Muslim, and I've never seen these churches anywhere); another image of Jesus--this one mailed--that was huge, 12 x 14, advertising for another church in Alabama (I live in WA). If THAT weren't enough, I was on the train one day and happened to look up and standing directly in front of me, with his back to me, was a soldier with stickers on his helmut. JESUS LOVES YOU, the biggest one said.

I could go on - But I'll just say that it's no coincidence that he arrived when he did. I've completely overhauled my prayer life, my attitude, and my reading life: the way back to God isn't to find the biggest ladder, it's to dive to the bottom of the sea. That is, those who humble themselves will be exalted. Humility is the key to all. This is what I keep learning from this saint. Second, I'm incorporating elements of the desert fathers--eastern Orthodoxy--into my reading, along with texts such as "The Cloud of Unknowing." I am now praying the contemplative way, and am becoming aware of both the rewards and the pitfalls that this method brings. All of them--the ancient texts, The Prophets, the saints--say the same essential thing. Live by faith, and assume that if you're being led somewhere, pick up your cart and go. The materials you need for what you are to build--in Cuthman's case, a church--will arrive exactly when you need them.

He is a beautiful and gentle saint--though no pushover; I do feel an element of protection that I can't quite describe. He, anyway, has been known as an intercessory for miracles for those who need protection, and to have no tolerance for those who interfere with or mock divine will ("Men mock, heaven weeps," he said, when villagers laughed at him and his mother in the three-wheeled cart. The villagers crops were immediately wiped out by a sudden flash flood).

Thank you again. Have a blessed Easter and Holy week. You are in my prayers.

Cecilia asked not only for herself, but for several saints for her family ...

... thank you so much from all my heart for responding with "return of post" with the all Saints for my children and for me!

Forgive me for not having answered you sooner. It is really wonderful how the Saints choose us so perfectly. Saint Luke chose me; I have trouble with my health and have been praying for healing for such a long time, and now Saint Luke the physician has come into my life! I am praying to him and also asking him to get to know him better every day and to feel his closeness. I will now start to read his epistle from beginning to the end and through this also get closer to Jesus walking with Him through the epistle with Saint Luke. I am researching about our Saints with joy!

For my son Juan Enrique who has had an illness in the eyes and is still not cured I know Saint Lucy will intercede for him and also for his spirituals eyes that he will see his path more clearly. He is in a great discerning moment right now.

Saint Anne choose Gabriella who is a working mother and wife and also in great need of intercession for her family, economy and house. She is also thinking of starting a small business from home as well.

Our Lady of Good Counsel choose Roberto; he really needs the nearness and advice from Our Lady.

Saint Widefride will also help Anna Maria greatly.

Thank you again and I will keep you posted about our Saints and ourselves.

May God bless you abundantly!

Laura wrote and said ...

... Thank you, Marianne! I have found very little on Blessed Peter Onizuko, but I am VERY HAPPY he chose me! Because there is so little about him out there that I’ve been able to find, what I’ve come up with so far for a ‘connection’ is the following:
My name is Laura, my name-sake is St Lawrence, who was martyred ~ he was grilled to death. He told his torturers, “I think I’m finished on this side, you may turn me over now.”

Blessed Peter Onizuko was martyred in Shimabara, Japan in 1622 ~ he was burned alive.

So it seems to me there is a connection with martyrdom, burning, suffering of the flesh, and love of the Church, which I have had all my life. Other connections I must rely on Blessed Peter to let me know!

LuAnn wanted me to know about her saint ...

... Let me start by saying that there is not much out there on Blessed Sancja Szymkowiak, and much of what is there is written in Polish, but I am not done looking either. That, however, did not prevent the connection between us.

When I graduated from college and began teaching, I knew I was right where God wanted me to be. I started in the Appalachian Mountains, in a poor isolated community. When I married and moved to Georgia, again, I taught in a poor rural community where I felt I was right where I was suppose to be. My husband and I moved to Michigan, and I taught here as well, but now many years later, I just can't tell anymore. In the last few years I have had a job loss, have gone from job to job, and am working now with children again in a Head Start program.

When I first lost my job, I frantically began to search for anything that would pay the bills (my husband passed away in 1998, so I am it!) I talked with God then and often about work, and what could I do. After one such fervent conversation, our parish priest called me the next day to ask me if I would take the music director job at our church. Though it is only a part time position, what a surprise that it actually pays my mortgage! More importantly, it has been such a blessing in my life. God is mighty, and indeed can do great things! He has made me a cantor and a psalmist...which I would never have imagined doing! Doing without fear even!!

About 2 years ago, again I was looking for a job, I started praying about doing God's will. That I wanted to do what He wanted me to do, and though I have the Head Start job, I am not so happy there. The people are nice enough, and the children, well, they are children, but it is me. I have changed, gotten older, whatever it may be. So my question is... where does God want me to be? There is a voice in my head that tells me to go back to school, get a degree in Pastoral Studies, work with Father as an administrative assistant... does that voice belong to me or God, and how am I to know. I am afraid to step out there (It cost a lot to go to school), but I do so want to go where God directs me.

From a very young age Blessed Sancja wanted only to do God's will. Her motto was "God's will is my will." Having her to pray with me and for me is important...she was sure of what God wanted from her. No questions! So you see, our connection was evident from the start... despite the little information that is out there about her.

Thank you Marianne for your work. Even though you say you don't chose the saint for us, you are out there, making the connections possible. Without your work I would have never had the opportunity to know about Blessed Sancja... I would have never looked!

You are in my prayers!

Have you received your Patron Saint for this year?

If you have requested a saint and have not received one after a week or so, please contact me with an alternate email address so I can send your patron saint. Or if someone else will let you use their email address for this one time, please use that address. Or add me to your "favorites" list on your email site. I have several requests that have not been fulfilled and I have no way of contacting you personally. Some email addresses, especially those from a work place, will not accept my return email.

***Please check your spam folder too ... since I usually just hit the "reply" button to send you your saint, some servers throw this sort of email right into spam.***

Your patron saint and I hope to hear from you soon!

To see the names of those that have been connected with a saint this year and to also read this year's connection stories, check out my 2012 blog ...

http://patronsaintconnections.blogspot.com/

and my newest blog for 2013!

http://the2013patronsaintministry.blogspot.com/

To Request Your Patron Saint ...

I will still take requests for Patron Saints even though it could be well past the first of the new year and will continue to do so throughout the rest of the year!

There will be a slight change this year in how the blog will be posted ... I had such an increase in requests and connection stories that the blog couldn't handle all of it ... this year, I will have you go to another site to view the new connections and the new listings. Stay in touch for further information on this as I am still working on it. Between Anna Marie and myself, we will be posting the list of saints on the new site. If you don't see your name on the site within a week, please email me again and I will make sure that your name is posted.

In the meantime, you will be personally contacted by email with the name of your saint(s).

Please check back often to see any and all updates to this site. If you have a story or connection, please contact me and let me know I can post it here. There are so many people who benefit from the connections and appreciate them! You may never know who you have touched or in what manner!

Through the goodness of God and His heavenly intercessors, my time to keep this blog going has been freed up to some extent. Please know, though, that 4 days out of every week, my time to work on your requests and on this blog, is very limited. This is why you may experience some delay. For now, though, I am caught up with all the requests.Thank you for your patience and understanding!

God bless you and always keep you close to Him!

Open your heart and allow God to ROCK your world!

To request a patron saint, email me at : mare54n@gmail.com

What is a "Litany"?

If you have ever talked about someone you really look up to, and you listed all their good qualities, you have experienced the basic idea behind litanies. When you're describing someone you love and admire, you want to say all the wonderful things you can think of about that person. When you pray a Catholic litany, you're telling God, or Mary, or the saints (depending on whom the litany is addressed to), "You're so wonderful! You're so holy! You did so many great things, and I want to be like you. Help me to get to heaven."

How is a litany constructed?"The word ‘litany’ comes from the Latin ‘litania’, ‘letania.’ It stood for a form of responsory prayer which involved a number of invocations or petitions grouped around one main subject or sacred theme." (A Prayerbook of Favorite Litanies by Fr. Albert J. Hebert, S.J., published by TAN Books. Used with permission.)

The Beginning: Litanies usually follow the same pattern. They start with the "Kyrie eleison," whether in Latin or English, ("Lord have mercy on us"), which we say at every Mass. Then we ask each Person of the Blessed Trinity for mercy. ("God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us, etc.)

The Invocations: Next comes the main body of the litany: the invocations. Each invocation praises the one to whom the litany is addressed by describing a different way that makes the person admirable. As an example, if you were writing a litany of a famous sports hero, you could include things like, "Honor of the team," "Joy of the coach," "Perfect goalie," "Scorer of victories," etc.

The Response: Each invocation is answered with a response, such as "pray for us." The response remains the same for most or all of the litany. This is what makes the litany a "responsory prayer," in the same class as the "Prayers of the Faithful" and the Psalm at Holy Mass. As you read through various litanies, notice the difference in the responses, depending on whom the litany is said to. The response for litanies to God is usually, "Have mercy on us," while litanies to the saints or to Our Lady have "pray for us" as the response.

The Petitions: Often, in a more solemn litany, or in litanies to God, there are a set of petitions after the regular invocations. Sometimes these petitions ask for various graces, and are answered with a response "We beseech Thee, hear us;" other times, they ask God to protect us from various spiritual and physical evils (sin, war, etc.). (see the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus or the Litany of the Saints as examples of petitions used in a litany.)

The Closing: After the invocations (and petitions), is a set of three invocations to the Lamb of God. Usually this is followed by a versicle (marked "V."), said by the leader, and a response (marked "R."), said by the people. (The versicle-and-response can also be found in different sections of longer litanies, such as the Litany of the Saints.)

The last item is always a short prayer.

What is a NOVENA?

Its name deriving from the Latin word "novem," meaning "nine," a novena is nine days' private or public devotion in the Catholic Church to obtain special graces. Though they are not part of our liturgy and remain a "popular devotion" (a very few are prayed paraliturgically), they've been prayed since the very beginning of the Church -- and before its official beginning: Mary and the Apostles prayed from His Ascension to the Pentecost, a period of nine days (Acts 1). Also, a nine-day period of supplication was a pagan Roman and Eastern practice, so novenas were easily accepted by the earliest converts in these lands. The Christian and Jewish meaning of the number "9" entered into Christian thinking on the matter, as "9" was associated with suffering, grief, and imperfection, making it a fitting number for when "man's imperfection turned in prayer to God" (Catholic Encyclopedia). St. Jerome wrote that "the number nine in Holy Writ is indicative of suffering and grief" (Ezechiel, vii, 24).

Novenas, then, often, but not necessarily, have about them a sense of "urgency"; they are typically made for special intentions, one's own or another's ("I'll make a novena for you").

Novenas to certain Saints are often made according to that Saint's patronage; for ex., because of his New Testament letter encouraging Christians to persevere in the face of persecution, St. Jude is the patron of desperate situations and "hopeless" causes, so a person who finds himself or a loved one in a real tough bind might make a novena to St. Jude (by the way, it is traditional, after making a novena to St. Jude, to make a public expression of your gratitude. This is the reason for those mysterious thank you notes to St. Jude that you might see in your local newspaper's Classifieds section).

There are four main types of novenas (a novena may fit into more than one category):
-novenas of mourning, such as the novena made during the novemdiales -- the nine day period following the death of a Pope
-novenas of preparation, or "anticipation," such as the Christmas or Easter Novenas
-novenas of prayer
-the indulgenced novenas

In some novenas, the same prayer is said each day for nine days, or sometimes 9 times in one day; others may have (or add) different prayers for each of the 9 prayer sessions. Some "novenas" aren't properly called "novenas" because the number nine plays no role in any way, but still retain the label.

When a Novena is prayed in anticipation of a Feast, it is typically begun such that it ends the day before the Feast (i.e., to know when to start a Novena in anticipation of a Feast, count 10 days back from the Feast, with the Feast itself counting as "one.")

Be aware that some uneducated persons think about Novenas in a superstitious manner. Any Novena instructions that include words such as, "say this prayer for 9 consecutive days and your wish will be granted to you," or that describe the Novena as "never fail" in some sense that would lead one to believe that we have God at our beck and call rather than our being His humble servants -- well, while the prayers themselves might (or might not) be OK, such instructions should be absolutely rejected.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus ...

... truly present in the Holy Eucharist, I consecrate my body and soul to be entirely one with Your Heart, being sacrificed at every instant on all the altars of the world and giving praise to the Father, pleading for the coming of His Kingdom. Please receive this humble offering of myself. Use me as You will for the glory of the Father and the salvation of souls. Most Holy Mother of God, never let me be separated from your Divine Son. Please defend and protect me as your special child. Amen."

(Voice of Our Blessed Mother as heard by Sister Agnes Sasagawa of Akita, Japan)

Prayer to St. Joan of Arc (My 2011 Patron Saint) For Faith

In the face of your enemies, in the face of harassment, ridicule, and doubt, you held firm in your faith. Even in your abandonment, alone and without friends, you held firm in your faith. Even as you faced your own mortality, you held firm in your faith. I pray that I may be as bold in my beliefs as you, St. Joan. I ask that you ride alongside me in my own battles. Help me be mindful that what is worthwhile can be won when I persist. Help me hold firm in my faith. Help me believe in my ability to act well and wisely. Amen.

"Jesus, Mary, I love You, Save Souls"

Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

(This novena prayer was recited every day by Padre Pio for all who asked for his prayers. You are invited to recite it daily, so as to be spiritually united with the prayer of Blessed Padre Pio.)

O my Jesus, You have said: "Truly I say to you, ask and it will receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it will be opened to you." Behold, I knock, I seek, and I ask for the grace of ...(here add your request).

Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil...Amen.

Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. (Whom we love). Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death...Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end...Amen.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You.

Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil...Amen.

Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. (Whom we love). Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death...Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end...Amen.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You.

O my Jesus, You have said: "Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in My Name, He will give it to you." Behold, in Your name, I ask the Father for the grace of...(here add your request).

Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil...Amen.

Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. (Whom we love). Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death...Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end...Amen.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You.

O my Jesus, You have said: "Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away." Encouraged by Your infallible words, I now ask for the grace of...(here add your request).

Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil...Amen.

Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. (Whom we love). Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death...Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end...Amen.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have mercy on us sinners, and grant us the grace which we ask of You, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your tender mother and ours.

Hail, Holy Queen, our mother of mercy...our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we set up our sighs, morning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn thee then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary...Pray for us O loving mother of God that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ...Amen.

St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.

Prayer for Padre Pio's Intercession

Gracious God, You generously blessed Your servant, Padre Pio, with the gifts of the Spirit. You marked his body with the five wounds of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness to the saving Passion and Death of Your Son, and as a stirring inspiration to many people of Your infinite mercy, forgiveness, and love.

In the confessional, Padre Pio labored endlessly for the salvation of souls. Through his prayerful intercession, many who suffered were healed of sickness and disease.

Endowed with the gift of discernment, he could read people's hearts. From the blood of his wounds came a perfumed fragrance, a special sign of Your Holy Presence. With dignity and intense devotion, he celebrated daily Mass, inviting countless men and women to a greater union with Jesus Christ, in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

Through the intercession of Padre Pio, I confidently beseech You to grant me the grace of (here state your petition). Help me to imitate his example of prayerful holiness and compassion, so that I, too, may faithfully follow the Risen Lord, and one day rejoice in the Kingdom, where You live and reign forever and ever...Amen.

Prayer for the Intercession of Pope John Paul II

O Holy Trinity, we thank you for having given to the Church, Pope John Paul II, and for having made him shine with your fatherly tenderness, the glory of the Cross of Christ and the splendor of the Spirit of love, He, trusting completely in your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, has shown himself in the likeness of Jesus, the Good Shepherd and has pointed out to us holiness as the path to reach eternal communion with You.

Grant us, through his intercession, according to your will, the grace that we implore, in the hope that he will soon be numbered among your saints. Amen.

No instant connection with your saint?

I just want to remind everyone that requests a patron saint for the year that if you don't have an instant connection, don't worry about it and most of all, do not be disappointed! Keep on researching your saint. Pray to your saint. Talk to them. Even research any and all of the saintly people mentioned in the biography of your saint, if there are any. The connection may be there. You may not have an instant connection and you may not have one for several months or even one at all. Keep them in your mind and sometime, without even realizing it, you will come to see why you were chosen by this particular saint. This saint is so excited to walk with you and to intercess for you and to bring you closer to our Heavenly Father! A connection is not necessary for them to do this for us.

Keep in mind that there are so many heavenly intercessors that are just waiting to be called upon, especially those that are not so well known. This is our chance to bring them to the forefront and to tell others about them. One thing that I have loved doing during this devotion is looking up the saints who are obscure. I have learned so very much about them! If you are having a difficult time finding information about your saints, don't give up! See if there are churches with your saint's names and then either email or write to them and ask them for help in researching your saint. Research the era that your saint lived and died in. For example, maybe your saint was martyred during WWII in one of the prison camps, research the different camps and ways that they and others died. It will be a great learning experience in many ways!

Most of all, enjoy your saint. They will be by your side throughout the year. They are your friend, your confidant, your partner, and are more than willing to do what they can for you. They will never leave you! What a grand feeling, knowing that you aren't alone!

God bless you throughout this year and always!!

Marianne

Have you ever considered adopting in prayer a brother Priest?

A PRAYER FOR PRIESTS

O Jesus, our great High Priest, hear my humble prayers on behalf of your priests. Give them a deep faith, a bright and firm hope and a burning love which will ever increase in the course of their priestly life.

In their loneliness, comfort them. In their sorrows, strengthen them. In their frustrations, point out to them that it is through suffering that the soul is purified, and show them that they are needed by the Church; they are needed by souls; they are needed for the work of redemption.

O loving Mother Mary, Mother of Priests, take to your heart your sons who are close to you because of their priestly ordination and because of the power which they have received to carry on the work of Christ in a world which needs them so much. Be their comfort, be their joy, be their strength, and especially help them to live and to defend the ideals of consecrated celibacy.

(By J. J. Cardinal Carberry)

REMEMBER ...

Remember...
If the priest is a saint, his people will be holy.
If the priest is holy, his people will be good.
If the priest is good, his people will be fair.
If the priest is fair, his people will be mediocre.
If the priest is mediocre, his people will be bad.
-Anon.

To honour the priesthood is to honour the great High Priest, Jesus Christ. To see Christ in the priest is a sure way of finding God.
(Father James, 0-F.M. Cap.)

He who honors a priest honors Christ; he who insults a priest insults Christ.
(St. John Chrysostom)

If I saw an angel and a priest, I would bend my knee; first to the priest and then to the angel.
(St. Francis of Assisi)

Jesus, Savior of the world, sanctify Thy priests and sacred ministers.
(Indulgence of 300 days, Raccolta)

0 Mary, Queen of the clergy, pray for us; obtain for us many and holy priests.